The Lauren McCluskey Foundation is hosting its third annual Utah awareness dinner and auction, Safety At Sunset, on October 30th, 2026, in honor of Lauren Jennifer McCluskey, a University of Utah student-athlete tragically murdered in 2018. The event, brought to you by our title sponsor, law firm Parker and McConkie, aims to bring together community members, supporters, and advocates to raise awareness and funds for campus safety initiatives, featuring speakers, an auction, and opportunities for attendees to engage with each other and support the Foundation's ongoing work to improve campus safety.
The highlight of the event will be the presentation of the Lauren McCluskey Award for Distinguished Response to Nicole Noren, a journalist and documentary filmmaker who produced more than 50 investigative reports and short documentaries for ESPN, and now heads her own production company. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to improving safety on college campuses and supporting victims of crime through their professional and personal efforts.
By attending Safety At Sunset, guests will not only support a vital cause but also celebrate Lauren McCluskey’s legacy and honor individuals like Nicole Noren, whose work continues to make college campuses safer for students.
About Nicole Noren:
Nicole Noren is a recipient of six Emmys, two Edward R. Murrow Awards and a Peabody and has reported extensively on education, health and social issues. Specializing in character-driven investigative projects, Noren has spent her career amplifying underrepresented voices and producing high impact accountability journalism that has effected change and raised awareness on crucial topics.
Noren's 2023 investigative documentary on Lauren McCluskey entitled LISTEN premiered on ESPN and was the subject of an ABC 20/20 special. The film has been viewed by over six million people on YouTube and is now used by law enforcement officials and schools across the country as a training tool. "LISTEN" received recognition in three national journalism competitions - the Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) Awards, National Awards for Education Reporting and Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) Awards:
“LISTEN is a shining example of how investigative journalism can hold police systems accountable without exploiting victims of violence.” - IRE Award Judge
“Gripping, tragic and enraging. Masterful work that reveals the sheer amount of missteps and failures by multiple authorities and institutions and the push to cover it up." - EWA Judge
A first-generation college graduate from the University of Hawaii, Noren is based in Southern California and is a board member for local two non-profits that serve under-resourced students. She is also a board member for the Lauren McCluskey Foundation.
About the Lauren McCluskey Foundation:
The Lauren McCluskey Foundation is a non-profit organization established in honor of Lauren Jennifer McCluskey, a University of Utah student-athlete who was tragically murdered by a man she briefly dated in 2018. The foundation’s mission is to empower students, athletes, and institutions to improve the response to victims of relationship violence on college campuses. They provide resources and education to students and Universities, advocate for campus-safety-related policy changes, and drive on-going research towards solutions to better manage the issue of relationship violence on college campuses.
